Disney Debuts ‘Olaf Draws!’: Frozen Snowman to Host All-New Animation Academy in 2026
When Disney unveils the revamped Animation Academy experience at Hollywood Studios in Disney World later this year, it will no longer be led by in-person human artists, but instead will be hosted by the world’s most famous snowman -Olaf – with videos of legendary artists teaching guests the fine art of character sketching. The new addition is called Olaf Draws!
This is all part of the new “The Magic of Disney Animation” coming this summer to the former Star Wars Launch Bay, which had replaced the original The Magic of Disney Animation in 2015.
The centerpiece of the new Animation Academy attraction is a state-of-the-art Audio-Animatronics figure of Olaf. Inspired by his appearance in the short film Once Upon a Studio, the cheerful snowman greets guests from a professional animator’s desk.
The studio space itself has undergone a whimsical transformation. To accommodate artists of all sizes, the room features:
- Sleigh-themed tables designed specifically for younger creators.
- Professional-style workstations for adults and kids at heart to mimic a real studio environment.
- Frozen-inspired decor that blends the charm of Arendelle with the history of Disney’s studio lot.
Josh Gad, the voice behind Olaf, returned to the booth to record original dialogue specifically for this experience. Gad said he hopes that the attraction would serve as a launching pad for the next generation of talent. “I’m so thrilled that a whole new generation of kids can dream of becoming animators one day and can actually begin their journey right there on the studio lot,” he said.
Since Olaf’s twig arms make sketching a bit of a challenge, the experience features pre-recorded, step-by-step guidance from some of Disney Animation’s top directors and animators. Guests won’t just be drawing; they’ll be learning the history and techniques behind the characters from the people who created them.
The rotating curriculum ensures that no two visits are the same. The initial lineup of instructors and characters includes:
- Mickey Mouse, with Dan Abraham, director (Once Upon A Studio, Baymax!)
- Minnie Mouse, with Hyun Min Lee, animator (Frozen 2, The Princess and the Frog)
- Donald Duck, with Austin Traylor, animator (Once Upon A Studio, Moana 2)
- Genie, with Eric Goldberg, animator (Aladdin, Hercules)
- Moana, with Samantha Vilfort, story artist (Encanto, Zootopia 2)
- Stitch, with Fawn Veerasunthorn, director and head of story (Wish, Raya and the Last Dragon)
- Olaf, with Trent Correy, director (Once Upon A Studio, Frozen 3)
- Ursula, with Michael Woodside, animator (Big Hero 6, Encanto)
- Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde, with Byron Howard director, (Zootopia, Zootopia 2)
